healthy teeth

Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland Dental Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group

At McCarl Dental Group we recommend that all patients see one of our registered dental hygienists for routine prophylactic cleaning appointments at least every 6 months. For patients with gum disease we may recommend visits every 3-4 months. Our hygienists work with each one of our patients to ensure that they maintain optimum gum health, which means keeping their teeth healthier for years to come. With extensive training in the removal of tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces and below the gums, dental hygienists play an active role in fighting periodontal disease.

Many people believe that if they do not have problems with their teeth, they do not need to have their teeth cleaned by a hygienist and examined by a dentist. This can mean a couple of years quickly turns into 5, 10, or even 15 before some people have another dental exam. Unfortunately, for most of these people, waiting longer between visits means unhealthy gums and sometimes very rampant tooth decay.

When plaque is missed from irregular flossing, it hardens and becomes tartar under the gumline. This contributes significantly to the destruction of gum and bone attachment levels around your teeth. Eventually this uncontrolled gum disease, correctly known as periodontal disease, can lead to tooth loss.  Through routine cleaning appointments and screenings, patients can help prevent conditions including periodontal disease and advanced tooth decay.

The hygienists at McCarl Dental Group work with each individual patient to help them create an oral hygiene regimen that will work best for their own needs. Fifty percent of tooth and gum health comes from what you’re doing at home. Because every person’s mouth is different, so are his or her home care needs. What works for one person may not work for the next.

Hygienists don’t just clean teeth or check for suspicious areas of decay. They also screen for oral cancer and precancerous lesions of the mouth, head and neck.  Many medical conditions and diseases of the human body first manifest themselves as symptoms that are seen in the mouth. Because people are more likely to see their hygienists for routine cleanings as opposed to annual physical exams with their doctor, many conditions are first found in the dental office. Many Dental Hygienists also offer nutritional counseling because of the vital connection between overall health and oral health.

McCarl Dental Group hygienists help promote and safeguard your overall health and wellness. If you’re behind on your dental hygienist visits, it’s better to be late than never. Contact us today to schedule your biannual cleaning appointment. You can reach our Millersville, Maryland dental office at (410) 987- 8800 or our Greenbelt, Maryland dental office at (310) 474-4144. You may also request an appointment online at www.McCarlDental.com.

Let’s face the facts. Like 99% of the American population, you probably don’t floss your teeth as often as you should. The majority of dental patients actually confess that they don’t even floss at all unless there is something stuck between their teeth.

How Often Should You Floss Your Teeth?
The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between teeth DAILY with dental floss or an interdental cleaner.

Why Should You Floss Your Teeth?

Unlike brushing, flossing reaches between teeth and helps treat and prevent conditions like tooth decay,  gingivitis and periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is an early and reversible form of periodontal or gum disease.

Dentists, hygienists and product manufacturers have been trying to find a way to motivate patients to floss for years. The answer has finally come in a method that patients of McCarl Dental Group will both enjoy, comply with, and that is as effective as traditional flossing: the water flosser.

For years, products such as the Waterpik were recommended to patients with hard to reach areas around bridges, crowns, implants or braces. Recent studies show this method of plaque removal even more effective than flossing. (1) Many of our patients say that the water flosser is easier to use than dental floss.

The Waterpik Water Flosser is an oral irrigation device that delivers a steady stream of water and can flush out food particles, bacteria and plaque from under the gums and between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach.

For those who find flossing difficult, now a gentle stream of water can do the job. The added convenience of water flossers can also increase patient compliance in maintaining their oral hygiene. The result will be healthier gums, teeth and maintenance of oral appliances such as braces, bridges and implants.

You can purchase the Water Flosser at Bed Bath and Beyond and Target. Oral irrigation devices such as the Waterpik Water Flosser are available in various designs. The lower end models usually deliver one steady stream of water, while higher ends allow more customization in the pressure through manual controls. The water reservoir may be filled with a comfortable temperature of water to ensure patient comfort.

While it may take a little getting used to, many people prefer water flossers to traditional floss because of the convenience and ease of use. For patients with limited dexterity, flossing can be challenging. The Waterpik Water Flosser is easy to use.  Dr. Clayton McCarl is currently using the Water Flosser for hard to reach areas before he flosses.

McCarl Dental Group wants to encourage and promote oral health for each of our patients. Part of that responsibility includes making you aware of successful products that can help achieve improved oral health. If you’re looking for a dentist, we would love to invite you to our office. Our Millersville dental office is conveniently located near Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Crownsville, Gambrills, Glen Burnie and Severn, Maryland. Our Greenbelt Dental Office is close to College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, Glen Dale, Bowie, Mitchellville, University Park and Hyattsville, Maryland . To schedule a preventative care appointment with us, call our Millersville, MD office at (410) 987-8800 or our Greenbelt dental office location at (310) 474-4144. You may also schedule a dental appointment with a dentist at McCarl Dental Group online at www.McCarlDental.com.

Reference:
1. Rosema NA, Hennequin-Hoenderdos NL, Berchier CE, Slot DE, Lyle DM, van der Weijden GA.; The effect of different interdental cleaning devices on gingival bleeding.;
J Int Acad Periodontol. 2011 Jan;13(1):2-10.

Your oral health is connected to many other health conditions beyond your mouth. Sometimes the first sign of a disease shows up in your mouth. In other cases, infections in your mouth, such as gum disease, can cause problems in other areas of your body. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums, and the byproducts of oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream. When oral bacteria escapes into the bloodstream it increases inflammation throughout the body and can injure major organs. Chronic inflammation is recognized as a significant factor in aging and disease. Research links inflammatory periodontal diseases to systemic conditions.

Over 75 percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gingivitis or gum disease.

Inflammation from periodontal disease is associated with a number of serious health problems including:
•    Heart disease
•    Diabetes
•    Dementia
•    Rheumatoid arthritis
•    Premature birth

Do you notice any of these signs of gum disease – bleeding gums (even when you brush); red, swollen or tender gums; loose teeth; persistent bad breath; or receding gums? Sometimes there are NO obvious signs of gum disease.

Dental plaque is a sticky film with bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and gums. When plaque isn’t removed by daily brushing/flossing and routine dental hygiene cleanings, it not only causes tooth decay, but also leads to gum or periodontal disease. Gum disease ranges from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to a more serious disease, called periodontitis, that causes gum tissue to pull away from the teeth and form pockets that are infected. Periodontitis can result in damage to the underlying bone supporting the teeth. The American Dental Association recommends prevention by proper diet, brushing, flossing and dental visits. If you have symptoms of gum disease, please call our Millersville Dental Office at 410-987-8800 or Greenbelt Office at 301-474-4144 to schedule an appointment!

Drs. Clayton, Jay and David McCarl of McCarl Dental Group, www.mccarldental.com, are third-generation dentists with two dental offices in Greenbelt, Maryland and Shipley’s Choice Medical Park in Millersville adjacent to Severna Park fifteen minutes from  Annapolis. They are graduates of the University of Maryland Dental School and participate regularly in continuing education programs. Drs. McCarl are listed in America’s Top Dentists selected by the Consumers Research Council of America, Top Dentists as voted by Dental Specialists and Best Dentist in the Capital Reader’s Choice 2010 Poll.

For more information on the latest news in dentistry or the McCarl Dental Group, visit www.McCarlDental.com.

Every day we hear lots of creative (and sometimes lame) excuses for not flossing.

“The cat unraveled my floss.”

“I used it to hang my pictures.”

“I couldn’t find white thread and needed it to reattach a button.”

“Went fishing and used floss as fishing line.”

“Emergency shoe lace.”

“Ponytail holder.” Yada, yada, yada…

The excuse we hear most often is, “My gums bleed when I floss – it must be bad for me.”

If this is your excuse, we have great news! Gums only bleed for a day or two when you start flossing daily. The reason for bleeding is that the gums are inflamed from food and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. Once the plaque is removed, your gums will no longer be inflamed and will stop bleeding.  To keep your gums healthy, you must maintain regular brushing, flossing and routine professional cleaning to prevent build up of bacteria-harboring plaque and tartar.

At McCarl Dental Group, we give floss to every patient after their dental hygiene visits. If you have your teeth cleaned regularly according to your dentists’ recommendations, and run out of floss between visits, please come see us. We are happy to give you more floss!

According to Dr. Steven Offenbacher, professor of periodontology at UNC’s School of Dentistry and Dental Research, “Poor dental health is so prevalent that the number of lives saved by eliminating gum disease worldwide would definitely be in the hundreds of thousands.” The first sign of gum disease or gingivitis is red or swollen gums that bleed easily. If gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the gums recede and pockets form between the gums and teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.

A substance produced in the body called high-sensitivity C-reactive-protein or hs-CRP is suspected to play a role in the link between gum disease and heart disease. Inflammation from acute gum disease increases the amount of hs-CRP. The American Heart Association says hs-CRP is linked to an increased risk for heart attacks.

Here are a few pointers – just in case you have forgotten how to floss.
•    Hold an 18-inch piece of floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers.

•    Guide the floss between the teeth, gently hugging the side of each tooth.

•    When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against the side of the tooth and slide it in between the gum and the tooth.

•    Move the floss away from the gum with up and down motions and repeat this method between all of your teeth. Don’t forget the back of your last tooth!

Good oral hygiene means much more than bright white teeth. The condition of your teeth and gums is associated with a growing list of diseases that affect your overall health. Here are 9 ways to keep a healthy smile for a lifetime.

1) Quit Smoking
Everyone has heard about the cardiovascular and cancer risks associated with tobacco use and smoking. Smokers are also two to three times more likely to get periodontal disease and do not heal as well after periodontal treatment for gum infections.

2) Eat for a Healthy Body and Healthy Teeth
Eat a balanced variety of healthy foods from the five major food groups. Recent dental research indicates that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may help prevent oral cancer. A healthy diet with enough calcium and vitamin D will help you maintain strong teeth and bones. If you have osteoporosis or periodontal disease, you are at higher risk of losing teeth. If you do lose a tooth, get a dental implant to prevent resorption and shrinking of your jaw bone.

Limit sugary snacks and decrease soft drink consumption – even diet soda! Tooth decay and dental cavities are caused by bacteria that are normally present in your mouth. Every time you eat, bits of food become lodged in and around your teeth. This food provides fuel for the bacteria in plaque. Oral bacteria produce acid. Each time you consume food or beverages containing sugars your teeth are exposed to these acids for 20 minutes or more. Even diet-sodas are very acidic and increase risk of tooth decay and cavities. Brush your teeth after eating. Careful brushing and flossing help keep normal bacteria under control.

3) Brush and Floss Properly
Bleeding gums can be serious. Seventy five percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gingivitis or gum disease. Gum disease and gingivitis are associated with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, and pregnancy complications.

Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss daily. Use a soft brush in gentle circular motions at a 45-degree angle to your gum line. You may also use an electric toothbrush to help with areas that are difficult to reach. Electric toothbrushes are automatically set for two minutes which is the recommended brushing time. Floss gently but firmly, hugging the side of each tooth and make sure to floss gently into the gum line along the tooth to remove any plaque or food that has lodged between your teeth or between a tooth and your gum.  We recommend a professional dental hygiene visit at least twice a year.

4) Use Fluoride Products
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel in children and adults. In addition to the fluoride treatment that you receive after your teeth are cleaned by a dental hygienist during a routine dental exam, toothpastes and fluoride rinses are good sources of fluoride. Your dentist may recommend a stronger concentration of fluoride in a gel, toothpaste or rinse.

5) Know the Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
Have you ever noticed a small white or red patch in your mouth or a sore that takes longer than two weeks to heal? These symptoms could potentially be a sign of oral cancer. Other potential signs of oral cancer include: a sore that doesn’t heal or bleeds easily; a lump, thickening, ulceration, or color change of the gums and tissue in the mouth; chronic sore throats and a change in tonsil size. Dental journals are filled with articles about human papillomavirus (HPV) and an associated increase in oral cancer, with reports that 30 to 50 percent of head and neck cancer diagnoses are HPV related. Other risk factors include alcohol and tobacco use, sun exposure (lip cancer), and age.

6) Keep Your Dental Work Current
Old fillings can wear out or chip around the edges creating an opportunity for bacteria to enter the tooth and cause decay. Your dentist will evaluate the seal of all dental work during routine exams. You should visit your dentist if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or discomfort.  Also, don’t use your teeth as tools.

7) Reduce Stress
Grinding or clenching your teeth can cause excessive wear on the chewing surfaces of teeth and can even lead to cracked and chipped teeth. Our teeth normally wear down with age – clenching and grinding accelerates the process. Dental mouth guards, NTI appliances and stress-management techniques can also help reduce clenching.

Pregnant? See your OB … AND DDS
Pregnancy hormones can increase propensity toward swollen and bleeding gums that are more vulnerable to bacterial infection.  Inflammation of the gums during pregnancy is called “pregnancy gingivitis.” Flossing is especially important because it reduces the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can travel from your mouth to your body. Periodontal disease has been associated with preterm and low-birth-weight babies.

You may have heard the old wives’ tale about pregnancy,” Gain a child, lose a tooth.” The origin of this phrase is that pregnancy interferes with calcium absorption and increases hormones that affect oral health. Studies have indeed found a link between pregnancy and dental problems. It is important to have excellent oral hygiene during pregnancy and continue with routine dental exams and hygiene visits for teeth cleaning.

9) Prevention is the best strategy for keeping our teeth and bodies healthy!

Dr. Oz, health expert for the Oprah Winfrey Show and your McCarl dentists believe that health and beauty start with your teeth.

In the book, You: Being Beautiful: The Owner’s Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty, Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen write “Beauty reflects inner health – and teeth do it better than anything else.”

When interviewed on Dr. Oz on ABC News, Dr. Oz said, “The health of your gums is a more important predictor of whether you are going to have a heart attack than your cholesterol level.”

If your gums are inflamed, your teeth are falling out, or your teeth are getting ground down from wear and tear it will affect and reflect the health and beauty of your entire body.

Gum disease also called gingivitis is a much more common cause of tooth loss than tooth decay or cavities. The tooth is anchored in place by the gums which act like a suction cup. When the gum gets inflamed and swollen by gingivitis, the muscle and tissue in the gums and the bone beneath it pull away from the tooth.  The suction loosens and you are at risk of losing teeth. Cavities are a problem too. Bacteria eats its way through the tooth and gets into the pulp which has nerves that carry the pain all the way down into the jaw bone. Your jawbone supports your teeth. If you loose your teeth whether through trauma or decay, your jaw bone will eventually erode.

To keep your teeth healthy and prevent both gum infections and cavities, follow Dr. Oz’s Rule of Two’s: Brush your teeth for two minutes with a soft brush, change your toothbrush after two months. Flossing is critical – flossing cleans 40 percent more of the tooth than brushing alone.  You should also eat foods that are healthy for your teeth and make sure you follow your dentist’s recommendations for routine dental cleanings and exams.

McCarl Dental Group offers a New Patient Discount. Teeth cleaning, dental exam and necessary x-rays are only $45.  Click here to see other special discounts for dental care at McCarl Dental Group.

See Dr. Oz on ABC